Is Milwaukie, OR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Milwaukie tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOS: 5.5 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Milwaukie Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Milwaukie Compares
Milwaukie's water is 86% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 93% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Oregon, it ranks #30 of 48 cities (20% below the state average of 25 PPM). Among smaller cities, Milwaukie ranks #257 of 288 for hardness.
What Milwaukie's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 20 PPM - Low Concern
Milwaukie's water is slightly hard at 20 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Milwaukie is softer than 92% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Milwaukie has PFOS at 5.5 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Chromium-6 is naturally present in Milwaukie's aquifer geology at 1.09 ppb — 54x the EWG health guideline. There's no federal legal limit for chromium-6 specifically (only total chromium), which is why EWG tracks it separately. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 20 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 26 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 5.5 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 5.5 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 2 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.4 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 1.8 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Milwaukie
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOS: 5.5 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
How to Test Your Water in Milwaukie
With PFAS at 5.5 ppt in Milwaukie's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Milwaukie Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Milwaukie's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Milwaukie Water
Water Source: Clackamas River (Groundwater)
Population Served: 20,946
Hardness: 20 PPM (1.2 grains per gallon)
Milwaukie draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Clackamas River. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why mineral content varies by aquifer depth and geology. The geological profile determines hardness, iron, and trace mineral levels. The system serves 21,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Milwaukie Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Milwaukie Water in Milwaukie, OR, including ZIP codes:
97222
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Milwaukie to Other Oregon Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Milwaukie Water
Is Milwaukie tap water safe to drink?
Where does Milwaukie's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Milwaukie?
How do I remove PFAS from Milwaukie tap water?
What water filter is best for Milwaukie?
Is Milwaukie water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Milwaukie's water?
Is chromium-6 in Milwaukie's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Milwaukie Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 20 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Milwaukie's water data.